The star of Sophie is an Australian cattle dog, often referred to as a "Blue Heeler," who was adopted as a puppy into the Griffith family in 2005. When her primary caregiver, Bridgette, left for university a year later, Sophie's calm demeanor and unflagging affection helped her parents adjust to their new "empty nest" as she became enmeshed in their lives and daily activities, including their love of sailing.
During one voyage, Sophie fell overboard five miles from land and, after many frantic hours spent searching for her, the Griffiths assumed she drowned. Little could they have imagined that Sophie would be able to swim to an island and, upon realizing the island held little sustenance, swim through a treacherous waterway to a second island and manage to survive for five months before she was captured by a ranger and reunited with her family.
Emma Pearse reports on the Griffiths' experiences and the sightings of Sophie on the islands, turning the story into both a hero's journey and a testament to the bond between humans and their beloved dogs. She has created a compelling tale of hope that any dog lovers, whether they have suffered the heart-wrenching disappearance of a pet or not, will appreciate. --Kristen Galles from Book Club Classics